Voting open for techUK Main Board Elected Directors
Voting is now closed for techUK Main Board Elected Directors
Voting has now closed for positions on the techUK Main Board which arise from the annual rotation of Elected Directors in accordance with our Articles of Association.
The Board represents the membership and nominations have been encouraged from SME members in all parts of the sector and all geographies of the UK. Details of current Board Membership is on our website.
Nominees will be informed of the results of the vote during May. The outcome will be made public in June, and the process culminates in ratification of new appointees at the AGM on 5 July.
Any queries concerning Board membership or the election process should be sent to [email protected].
Kurt Erik Lindqvist
Kurt Erik Lindqvist
Company location: Peterborough, UK
Global headcount and turnover: 71 employees, £19m turnover
About the company: London Internet Exchange (LINX) is a mutual company with ~900 global members who is one of the worlds leading providers of Internet and cloud interconnection services at five locations in the UK as well as in the US, Kenya and Saudi Arabia.
Current responsibilities: As CEO I oversee all aspects of the company and I am responsible for developing the company strategy and its execution. I am also responsible for communicating our strategy with our members and seeking feedback on it from them.
Current involvement with techUK: I currently serve on the Communications Infrastructure and Services as well as Data Centre council.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I have worked in leadership roles for SMEs in the tech sector for the past 20 years, and have broad international experience on how tech SMEs can expand and grow. I have worked with the Scottish Futures trust in bringing investments to all parts of the UK as well as on international inwards investments programs in the past. I have also acted as advisors to various governments in past roles. I think my knowledge and experience will be helpful for the techUK main board in developing techUK further.
Chris Barker
Chris Barker
Company location: Leicester
Global headcount and turnover: 200 employees, £20m
About the company: Spirit is one of the fastest-growing healthtech firms in the UK, aiming to make health easy, affordable and accessible. Multi-award winning and named as one of the Best Companies to work for in 2020 and 2021.
Current responsibilities: My role is to recruit brilliant people and create an environment for them to excel. I lead our SOAR:25 5-year plan, incorporating growth and CSR targets - including a goal to put our healthtech into a developing country at no profit by end of 2025.
Current involvement with techUK: Spirit have been a member of techUK for 12 months throughout which time we have attended a number of events. I am keen to broaden this involvement to enable a wider contribution.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? My mission is to make health easy and accessible for all, aligning well with techUK's vision. I've an extensive network within UK government and the global health industry, plus experience of building a high-growth digital health firm from the ground up.
Steve Berry
Steve Berry
Company HQ location: Belfast
Global headcount and turnover: 27 employees, £1.1m
About the company: We are an IoT security company, headquartered in Belfast, with offices in London and The Hague, whose mission is to ensure the safety and resilience of Smart Cities and Smart Mobility by providing high-grade, quantum-resistant solutions.
Current responsibilities: Steve's role requires a visionary and collaborative approach, working alongside the company’s leadership team to implement strategic changes, action our commercialisation strategy and explore international expansion for our products and solutions.
Current involvement with techUK: We have been proud members of techUK for 5 years, having attended and led many events. Steve has been actively involved in techUK’s Japan Working Group and Cyber Working Group. Our CTO, Shadi Razak, is currently on the Cyber Security Management Board
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board: As Chairman and Co-Founder of several tech startups with headquarters around the UK, Steve is keen to bring his 35+ years of global commercial management and extensive board-member experience to the techUK Director role and promote the interests of startups and SMEs from across the country, ensuring that member companies of all sizes and locations are represented and fully supported by the techUK main board.
David Brown
David Brown
Company location: Ashford, Kent
Global headcount and turnover: 5 employees, £750,000
About the company: CLEO Systems is a developer and integrator of digital solutions in primary, urgent, emergency and outpatient care to support life-saving, frontline healthcare services
Current responsibilities: Establishing our start-up business, I am fortunate not only to have led a profitable company through its first years of trading but also a team of exceptional individuals who bring our innovative digital vision to reality.
Current involvement with techUK: We are a current members TechUK, looking to work alongside other like minded digital technology providers to transform healthcare. I really feel that working more closely with TechUK and members can help us achieved that ambition.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? With over 25 years' experience, I have led transformational change and created exciting disruptive technology. I am passionate about addressing inequalities within business, championing change, and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved individually or as a collaborative. I believe strongly in the platform Tech UK provides to its members and partners in creating an environment that enables those that strive for it, to stand amongst and become the best they can be within our industry.
Richard Clarke
Richard Clarke
Company location: London
Global headcount and turnover: 75 employees, £6.5m
About your company: Named by the Cabinet Office as one of the top SME suppliers to the UK government, Fivium are universally well respected for delivering complex case management solutions to the public sector, making the lives of public servants easier & more efficient
Current responsibilities: Board member advising shareholders on how to manage and scale the business sustainably. Executive accountabilities include (but not limited to) growth and commercial & business operations, as well as whole company and business unit level strategy.
Current involvement with techUK: Vice Chair for SMEs on Central Government Council & Member of SME Advisory Panel
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? Over my career, I believe I have developed a deep domain knowledge of both the tech & public services sectors, enabling me to understand how these two diverse, but symbiotic, segments interplay to overcome challenges of national importance and to create opportunities to improve the lives of citizens in the UK. In addition, I believe my professional & leadership experience coupled with my commitment to social responsibility will enable me to make significant contributions to the techUK board
Siobhan Costello
Siobhan Costello
Company HQ location: London
Global headcount: 121 employees, £6m turnover
About the company: FidelAPI (ranked no. 15 of the fastest growing technology companies in the UK) is a global financial infrastructure platform enabling developers to create programmable experiences that enhance the value of using and accepting payment cards.
Current responsibilities: I sit on the Senior Leadership team and am responsible for Legal and Policy at Fidel API, building a global team across UK, Europe, US and APAC.
Current involvement with techUK: techUK’s Financial Services Council for 3 years, formerly as Head of Regulatory Law and Policy at Visa and latterly since moving roles as General Counsel at Fidel API
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? There should be more home-grown global technology champions. The UK could do more to ensure that it remains not just a good place for start-ups to get off the ground but also a place where entrepreneurs can scale, attract UK investment and ultimately IPO. techUK is uniquely positioned to proactively shape policy in this space. I would bring my rounded experience as a policy creator at the regulator, to big brand plc and now high-growth fintech, to tackle these challenges.
Adrian Field
Adrian Field
Company HQ location: Stratford-upon-Avon
Global headcount and turnover: 43 employees
About the company: OneID is a 'bank ID' for the UK. We enable customers to simply and securely prove who they are in any online journey, using their existing bank account as a Digital Identity.
Roles and responsibilities: I am responsible for developing the UK market for Digital Identity services; working with customers, banks, regulators, industry and Government to progress the necessary products and frameworks for growth and success.
Current involvement with techUK: I am an active contributing member of techUK, sitting on the Financial Services Council and Deputy Chair of the Digital Identity Working Group.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I would like to apply my experience to a broader remit within techUK, to help the UK tech industry solve problems such as fraud and financial inclusion and enable UK tech to become world-leading and capitalise on the strengths we have as a country.
Andrew Gomarsall MBE
Andrew Gomarsall MBE
Company HQ location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Global headcount and turnover: 120 employees, £9.3m
About the company: Innovative, growing technology lifecycle management company-recovers retired corporate technology and professionally & sustainably manages its reuse, refining & recycling with a zero-to-landfill pledge, helping customers to realise their ESGs
Current responsibilities: Responsible for the company’s strategy, governance, performance and accountability - financially and ethically. n2s delivering a world leading, infinite technology service. Continuing to invest and innovate for a sustainable future.
Current involvement with techUK: n2s is engaged with techUK though working groups and media engagement. Our Head of Sustainability Solutions is an active member of the Climate Committee, and we are keen to further develop this alignment to drive climate action.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I am a passionate environmentalist, business, and sustainability leader, inspired by UNSDGs and Net Zero 2050. I have been lobbying the tech sector for many years, driving an infinite lifecycle for technology that supports decarbonisation. I believe in techUK’s mission to champion technology's role in preparing and empowering the UK for what comes next, and I am keen to use my networks, influence and enthusiasm to effect change that will bring a better and greener future for all.
Stephen Hall
Stephen Hall
Company location: London
Global headcount and turnover: 10 employees, £23m
About the company: Crown Hosting is a Joint Venture company between Ark data centres and UK Government. The company provides data centres to the UK public sector, from the smallest charities to the largest central government departments.
Current responsibilities: As Chief Executive Officer I am responsible for the efficient and effective running of the company and delivering exceptional service to each and every customer.
Current involvement with techUK: Member of the public sector board.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I would like to bring my enthusiasm and energy for championing excellence across Technology to the board, particularly across the Public Sector. Having worked for both large and a very small company I am particularly keen to champion the improved visibility and access of SMEs and their innovation. There is so much to be gained across the UK from a diverse and vibrant technology sector.
Sandeep Hardikar
Sandeep Hardikar
Company HQ location: London
Global headcount and turnover: 25 employees, £500,000
About the company: Network Science aims to Change the World with Deep-Tech (AI, ML, Robotics, IOT, Blockchain, AR, VR, Quantum Computing, Data Science) to create a more inclusive society, achieve net zero environment & transform industries.
Current responsibilities: Build a robust foundation to take DeepTech to world scale. Build a high-performance team that challenges conventional wisdom. Create a portfolio of DeepTech startups. Partner with enterprises to help them build a “culture of innovation”.
Current involvement with techUK: Member since last 9 months. techUK leaders have moderated 3 panel discussions during our Deep Tech Innovation webinars / events including Cyber Security, Cloud. Have initiated a dialogue for joint research on DeepTech.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? techUK could become an “Innovation launchpad” or “Center of Deep Tech Innovation” where corporates, governments and other stakeholders could present unsolved challenges - around cost, growth, enterprise risk or lack of differentiation. techUK (& its members) with its ecosystem of unique & pioneering startups could co-create solutions to create such real-world impact. As a Director, I could bring my experience and learnings to this vision and help techUK become the Innovation Powerhouse that transforms lives, industries and our planet.
Charlie Hoult
Charlie Hoult
Company location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Global headcount and turnover: 150 employees, £15m
About the company: Opencast is a software/tech consultancy growing with a series of government and corporate clients. Our mantra is Good Team Work - our work is purpose-led with a core focus on career-development on some of the most complex UK tech projects at scale.
Current responsibilities: I am Opencast's co-founder, setting strategy and engaging with the local/national tech eco-system. I also run Newcastle's largest co-work firm, Hyhubs, and ran for Mayor of Newcastle in 2019, engaging in national political issues: Brexit, climate
Current involvement in techUK: I chair North East region's tech network Dynamo UK - I've been very responsive to techUK's regional growth initiatives, levelling up, scale-up and cluster issues.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? techUK like Dynamo works on collaboration, innovation, skills and advocacy. Dynamo generated £100m in local initiatives: National Innovation Centre for Data at Newcastle University; founded North East Futures UTC; lobbied for key local clusters. These are all useful issues to share across regions and at national level
Ollie Houseman
Ollie Houseman
Company location: Bristol
About the company: Evri Insight provides consultants, data scientists and software developers that create innovative solutions that enable smarter decisions in business. Harnessing advanced analytical tools and techniques, we discover unique insights from data.
Roles and responsibilities: As Managing Director, I am responsible for Evri Insight's success. This includes hiring and developing talented staff, winning profitable contracts, building relationships, and helping my team deliver solutions that exceed our customers’ expectations.
Current involvement with techUK: Joining in 2015, I've been on the Defence and Security Board for 4 years. I'm a member of both the Cloud and the Data Analytics and AI Leadership Committees' and a part of the Digital Ethics Working Group. I've attended various events and dinners.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board?: As an SME business owner in the Southwest of England, I would like to offer my thoughts and experience to the key priorities of techUK. As Evri Insight works with several large UK Government departments including the MOD, FCDO and Home Office, I would like to help cultivate closer collaboration between these organisations and the wider techUK membership. Becoming a techUK Director would also support my own personal career goals, increasing my involvement with the sectors leading trade body.
Kulwinder Johal
Kulwinder Johal
Company HQ location: London
Global headcount and turnover: 85 employees, £18m
About the company: Data and technology company set up by Energy DNOs to deliver services to manage energy market data.
Roles and responsibilities: Develop, implement and manage the security vision, strategy and programme for data sets in the energy market of c. 32m customers.
Current involvement with techUK: New member - since March 2022. Already attended my first seminar and excited for future events
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? As a privacy and data specialist, and a previous Group DPO for a FTSE100 company I bring experience and practical insights as well as enthusiasm and passion for the subject areas. I have just completed a 2 year appointment as a Board member for IAPP which I thoroughly enjoyed and added value to.
Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis
Company location: Caerphilly
Global headcount and turnover: 12 employees, £500,000
About the company: Awen Collective is a Welsh Industrial Cyber Security software business whose mission is to make society safer by reducing the risk of cyber attacks to the services that we rely on daily - such as energy, water, transportation and manufacturing.
Current responsibilities: I founded the company solo in 2017, grew the team to 12 in 2022 as CEO raising 4 rounds of investment, launched a Dutch subsidiary company, and built a network of partnerships internationally.
Current involvement with techUK: Been a member via Awen for a couple of years. Currently sit on the Smart Cities Strategy Board (for a second year) and the Cyber Security Exports. Have chaired one panel discussion with techUK too.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I would not only be able to represent SMEs well, but also the entrepreneurial mindset, the region of Wales, and the three general topics of Cyber Security, Industry 4.0 and Smart Cities. I am also well connected to both the UK & Welsh Governments. I'd also like to join because it would be good for my own personal development. Being a chairman of an SME that I started is quite different being on the board of a larger organisation, so this would help me increase skills confidence.
Stuart McKean
Stuart McKean
Company HQ location: Southampton
Global headcount and turnover: 19 employees, £1.2m
About the company: Nine23 provide cyber security solutions and services to enable the frontline end-users in today’s workplace to use technology, securely.
Current responsibilities: CEO of a UK SME responsible setting and directing the vision of the companies growth.
Current involvement with techUK: SME Panel member and Cloud Leadership Committee member
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? In 2011, I founded Nine23 with a commitment to enable end-users to use today’s technology, securely. As the founder/owner of an SME, I passionately believe that SME organisations should have a voice on the TechUK board from someone who has actually founded and grown a business in the tech sector. I raised the issue of SME representation on the Main Board in 2020 having been disappointed with the process. I am keen to represent the SME community of TechUK who are the majority.
Ali Nicholl
Ali Nicholl
Company HQ location: London
Global headcount and turnover: 35 employees, £950,000
About the company: IOTICS, founded in 2014, is enabling enterprises to just start securely, flexibly, sharing across boundless data ecosystems. Turning silos of data and devices into a web of sources with patented digital twin and semantic web technologies.
Current responsibilities: My role is driving the adoption of digital twins and cooperative ecosystems to solve systemic challenges. Enabling customers, partners, suppliers, and communities (e.g., as Co-Chair of DT Hub's Community Council) to interoperate across boundaries.
Current involvement with techUK: I am a member of the Digital Twins Working Group advocating for interoperability and cooperative approaches and contributed to last year’s DT paper. I've written blogs for the TechUK website on DTs and Data and spoken at several events.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board: We live in extraordinary times, beset by challenges and generational crises. TechUK and the community of members and technologies are instrumental in delivering a better future, and I want to help champion and promote that capability and ability. I hope to bring passion for, and experience of, the role cooperative technology can play in enabling us all to do different things, recognising that the problems of tomorrow will not be solved by the solutions of yesterday.
Stuart Nicoll
Stuart Nicoll
Company location: Nantwich, Cheshire
Global headcount and turnover: 25 employees, £2.2m
About the company: NDI Technologies software is used by all UK Police Forces and large number of other agencies. NDI's PNC consumption solutions also cover centralised, remote and mobile solutions for the majority of third party solutions (including NDI's own).
Current responsibilities: As Director of Software Engineering for Dacoll Group, Stuart owns the process and delivery of CNI ,mission critical, software related solutions across all group product streams and manages the Software Development Managers.
Current involvement with techUK: An existing member of Tech UK, NDI Technologies have supported events over the years and more recently joined discussions as part of the public safety IT delivery landscape reform round table.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? Stuart would bring over 20 years of experience implementing technology into law enforcement. He has built strong relationships with both customers and internal stakeholders to combine management, technological, and interpersonal skills allowing him to be regarded as a trusted advisor to colleagues in Policing and Government. Stuart has working involvement with Home Office DDAT Major Programmes would bring insight to support and promote Tech UK initiatives and its members.
Georgina O'Toole
Georgina O'Toole
Company HQ location: UK
Global headcount and turnover: 18 employees, £1.6m
About the company: UK Software & IT Services Market Research & Analysis
Current responsibilities: Thought leadership and business development, plus research & analysis
Current involvement with techUK: SME Member, Current Elected Board Member, contributor to panel debates (including as Chair)/events, mentor to TechUK employee
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? Having served three years on the Board already, I am keen to continue my involvement to ensure TechUK thrives as an industry association. I bring a wider understanding of the UK technology sector, relationships with CXO level representatives of tech companies and end user organisations, and 20 years of working with UK government and the wider public sector. I also have experience through my role of TechMarketView of running a subscription-based business model.
Lalit Suryawanshi
Lalit Suryawanshi
Company location: Leeds, Yorkshire
Global headcount and turnover: 15 employees, £1m
About the company: ItechoHealth is a digital health company led by clinicians and technology experts with a platform called Ascelus focused on remote monitoring and management of long-term conditions. Our AI based algorithms decide the risk for each patient.
Current responsibilities: As a Confounder and CTO my main responsibility is to work on the strategy and growth of the company. I am the principal architect of our platform and give technology direction for the platform. I lead the product and technology team.
Current involvement with techUK: We recently joined TechUK and quickly realized the benefits of connecting with companies in same space but also connecting with regulators and wider NHS base. We also receive great mentoring and support. We attended networking events.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board: I run Leeds based small medical technology business and we have unique challenges I can bring that to the table and represent businesses in a similar situation. I am passionate about technology and run local technology events. I am also MBA from INSEAD and am currently a board member and VP of technology of Insead Alumni association. This gives me varied technology and business experience and I can support the wider membership with my skills in different areas.
Gregory Sutch
Gregory Sutch
Company HQ location: Oxford
Global headcount and turnover: 112 employees, £11.2m
About the company: We help high-growth tech companies sell their products, license their technology or provide their services in the key East Asia markets of Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. Our focus is companies with enabling technologies and B2B business models.
Current responsibilities: I oversee all aspects of our business, including sales, marketing, delivery, operations, etc. My passion is to help companies succeed in new markets regardless of distance, language and culture, and to help address some of the world's big challenges.
Current involvement with techUK: We have supported various online events hosted by techUK and also recently contributed by way of guest blogs, including this one https://www.techuk.org/resource/guest-blog-opportunities-in-east-asia.html
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board: I think I could bring my knowledge of the important East Asia markets and the opportunities they represent for UK tech companies to the Board and the wider membership, ultimately to the benefit of the membership and the UK tech community.
Paul Tomlinson
Paul Tomlinson
Company location: Manchester
Global headcount and turnover: 35 employees, £4m
About the company: IEG4 provide software solutions via the cloud to local government and the health service. Our purpose is to deliver simpler and easier access to services for citizens/patients whilst at the same time provide administrative cost savings.
Current responsibilities: Responsible for the strategic direction of the company and provide cost effective services for our public sector clients. Additionally ensure our investors LDC get appropriate returns for resources committed to Digital Transformation of Public Sector
Current involvement with techUK: Active member of Social Care Working Group, have served and chaired local public services committee, working alongside Georgina Maratheftis. TechUK SME member for many years.
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I wish to represent the needs and wishes of the SME community. Central Government is placing a lot on the future of the country on entrepreneurship, start ups and building many new tech business's - I wish to be their voice amongst/against big enterprise domination of conversations.
James Whittingham
James Whittingham
Company HQ location: London
Global headcount and turnover: 9 employees, £174,000
About the company: We are a leading talent management platform enabling organizations to better source, onboard, and manage their workforce.
Current responsibilities: Chief Executive officer overseeing the entire business. We are a small team making some great progress in what we do. We all chip in and we are passionate about the product and service that we have.
Current involvement with techUK: New Member
What are your reasons for wanting to be a techUK Director and what could you bring to the techUK Main Board? I'm passionate about business and championing SMEs to disrupt industries. I've spent my career building businesses predominately across technology and finance, and i'd love to use my experience to help SMEs do more and be recognised for the important role they play. I have sat on numerous company boards throughout my career and I'd like to experience being on a trade and membership body organisation like tech UK. I can bring a transparent, honest, and passionate view of the role for SMEs.
